No help? Every volunteer seems to be busy? What can you do to grow your base of volunteers?

Connect them to the cause that is bigger than whatever they are doing. This goes back to the same reason you are doing the work. It is not just about doing the work, but rather what the work is a part of. Tell your volunteers the stories of how the work has made a difference.

Value their time by giving them work that is necessary and part of your ministry’s critical path. One of the challenges is putting volunteers in a place where they are able to contribute and where their contribution is critical to the cause. Your volunteer will find another place if they just perceive their work as grunt work or busy work.

Be prepared for their arrival. It is a bunch of work to be prepared for volunteers. Having everything organized, planned, and purchased will go a long way toward a volunteer feeling that their time was used wisely.

Listen to their input and have an opinion of your own. This balance is crucial for you. A volunteer wants to make you happy. It is also possible that they have far more experience in this area than you do. Listen to what they think but you still are responsible for priority of time, expense, etc.

A simple thank you is the equivalent to your paycheck. In the same way that you don’t want to miss a paycheck, think of that thank-you note or “shout out” like a volunteer paycheck. Use the opportunity to say thank you to connect them to the cause again.